Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
| | A | | | B | | | C | | | D | | | E | | | F | | | G | | | H | | | I | | | J | | | K | | | L | | | M | |
| | N | | | O | | | P | | | Q | | | R | | | S | | | T | | | U | | | V | | | W | | | X | | | Y | |
Treatment of Alzheimer's disease
There is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease, treatment is based on reducing symptoms.
There are some drugs that seem to delay progress of the disease. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has reviewed three drugs, donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine, and has decided that they are of some value in certain patients with early Alzheimer’s disease. They should be continued only if the patient improves or at least does not become worse, and patients must be reviewed every six months.
Medical researchers are currently looking at other medical treatments including anti-oxidants, brain stem cell therapy, and a vaccination to stop the build up of plaques in the brain.
Much can be done with mood-controlling drugs (tranquillisers) and other forms of medication to reduce behaviour problems and ensure sound sleep. Alternative therapies such as music therapy, aromatherapy and reminiscence therapy may be helpful to some people.
It is also helpful to give the person the choice to be alone or with others. It seems that gentle encouragement to use the brain and keeping the environment quite stimulating is a good idea. But it is important not to overwhelm people with demands that may only frustrate them if they cannot meet them.
Despite claims that the herbal supplement Ginkgo Biloba helps memory and concentration, a recent research trail has proved it does not improve the mental abilities of older people.
